The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-26
DESIGN OF CHRISTMAS.
WHY THE DAY IS CELEBRATED
THROUGHOUT CHRISTENDOM.
The Rev. s. Q. Caldwell Delivers. an
Instructive Sermon to a Large Con.
gregation at tho Lauderdale Street
Presbyterian Church.

Christmas were preached in
nearly all the churches yesterday, and TO
large and intelligent congregations. Among
the most instructive discourses was that Of
the Rev. s.. G. Caldwell, pastor OF the
Lauderdale Street Presbyterian church, OF
which the following is a synopsis:
unto Us a child Is born . " " aud his name
shall be called Wonderfully ix,6
Great Is the mystery OF godllness. God was
manifest In the fesh ~. Tim, ILL.,, lG.
"We do not know the exact date Of the
birth OF Jesus, but we know that he was
born and lived among men-was cruciled
and died for sinners. lie was seen OF an
gels, preached unto the %gentiles, beloved
in the world, received up into glory. 1t
was a great idea of Dionysius to date our
era from the birth OF the Savior. Jesus
Christ is the center and turning point OF
chronology and all history and the key to
all its mysteries. AN things were created
by him and for him. lie is the desire of
all nations lie appeared On N earth
when the fullness OF the time was come;
when the process OF preparation for him
was finished.
''The two texts read bring before IFS a
wonderful parsonage. Isaiah says a child
is born and his nam shall be called Won
deriul.' Paul says: Great il the mystery
OF godliness; God was manifest in flesh
IAN christendom is today celebrating
the birth OF tho most wonderful being who
was ever born.
81. lie existed from all eternity. Here
is mystery. This astounded the Jews.
They said thou art not yet fifty years old
and hast thou seen Abraham lie said,
Before Abraham was ! am. Solomon re-
ferrod 10 the pre-existence OF Christ when
he said, When there were no depths was
| brought forth; when there were n 70 fount
aims Astounding with water. Before the
mountains were settled; before the hills was
| brought FORTH In the seventeenth
chapter OF John our Savior referred 10 his
pre-existence: And now, o Father, glori-
~ thou me with thine own self with the
glory which | had with thee before the
world was.
"2. Tho mysteries Of the incarnation.
Matthew and Luke give us descriptions
Of Jcsus's birth. John begins his gospel
by telling us of Jesus prc-existence: In
the beginning WIS the word, and the word
was with God, and the word was God Ho
also tells US OF the incarnation. The word
was made flesh and dweltamong u.s. The
circumstances Of his birth were wonderful
indeed. IL was an exact fulhllment OF
prophecy. Isaiah said he should be born
Of u virgin. Micah had said he should be
born at Bethlehem. IL had been prophe-
sled that he should appear in low condi-
tion-a root out Of dry ground. The tme
was also prcdicted-before the sceptor
should depart from Judah-and the timo
pointed 10 In Daniels weeks
"His conception in the womb Of a virgin
was supernatural.
"He took n true body, not a mere phan-
tom apparition. He was wcaricd; he hun
gercd and thirsted. lie had n reasonable
soul. lie was truly a human being. lie
was truly God. He had two distinct
natures in one person. Hero Is mystery.
"3. His whole life was full Of wonders.
We have no reliable pictureof his personal
appearance. Publius Lntulus, the gov
ernor Of Judea, described him as q
man Of stature somewhat tall and
comedy, with a very ruddy countenancc.
His hair Is the color Of the hlbert
when fully ripe. curling and waving about
his shoulders. His forehead Is plain and
delicate, his Taco without a spot or wrsnkle,
beautiful with a comedy rcd. His nose and
surprising beauty exceling the children Of
men,
"What contrasted scenes In his wonder
full life. Rays Of godhead STRAINED through
the darkest scenes Of his humiliation. lilo
was born in a stable, but n new star rested
over the lowly birth place. Angels filled
lha atT nth H.Axsautu snuala IllG hunHa
were rough with labor, but at their touch
eyes received their sight and the dead
were raised. His voice had been heard In
the cries Of infancy, but II quelled the
roaring storm. lie did not walk the world
in costly robes, but the hem Of his garment
cured inyctcratc disease. lie did not tread
on Injurious carpets, but his steps wen on
the pillows Of the sea. lilo thirsted. but
turned water into wine. lie hungered,
but he fed thousands on n few loayes and
fishes.
"He was weary and worn and sat down
10 rest, but he healed the cripple. lie had
nowhere to lay his head, yet he could con-
troll the stormy olemonia, and invited tho
weary 10 come 10 him for rest. He sOothed
anguishcd hearts, but said Of himself, my
soul II exceeding %sorrowful, and brcathed
the bitterust paycr that ever quivercd on
anguishcd lips. The brow that was crowned
with glory on tho mount Of tn%nsfgura-
ton was crowned with thorns. The coun.
tenancc that shone ~ the sun was marrcd
and spit upon. The niment that was
| bright and glistcning was divided among
gambling soldiers. The blessed form thai
stood between saintcd Moses and Elias
was hanged between two thieves. Tho
multitude shouted. 'Hosanna' n day, the
next day, Cruelty himl'
"1hc prince Of life died. lilo who could
| conttol death became its wailing victim.
The voice that had hushcd the tempest be-
came silent. The head that had lain In
the bosom Of the Father was laid In the
tomb.
Behold upon the cro~ In the one per.
son Of Christ the wonderful union oi
grandeur aud humiliation Of glory aud
ignomy-fncSplicable union OF immortal
deity and expiring humanity
~ What mysteries In the expiation Tor
sin. Here Is the only instance OF a sinlcss
sufferer. IL stands alonc In the history u
tho universe. The Just died for the unjust.
And why should tho Son Of God take on
himself the seed Of Abraham rather than
the nature Of angclsG Why did he select
our race? Great Is the mystery"